By: Samantha Negron
KENNESAW STATE (12-16, 5-1) at LIBERTY (21-10, 3-0)
Date: April 2-3
Time: Friday: 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.; Saturday: 12 p.m.
Location: Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium
Game 1 Live Stats |
Game 2 Live Stats |
Game 3 Live Stats
Game 1 ESPN+ |
Game 2 ESPN+ |
Game 3 ESPN+
LEADING OFF
» The Kennesaw State softball team opens the month of April with a three-game ASUN conference series against Liberty in Lynchburg, Va.
»The three-game series against the Flames is scheduled for a doubleheader on Friday (April 2) beginning at 2 p.m., before closing out the series on Saturday (April 3) at 12 p.m.
» Live stats and live streams for al three games can be found on liberty.edu/flames.
»
Melanie Bennett was tabbed ASUN Pitcher of the week for the second time this season and
Taylor Cates earned her first ASUN Player of the week award after all five games against No. 21 Tennessee and UNA.
» The Owls lead the league with six triples and are second in the conference with 21 home runs.
LAST TIME OUT
» The Owls look to continue their momentum after recording their first series sweep against North Alabama this past weekend. With its three wins over the Lions, KSU sits in second in the ASUN North Division with a 5-1 record, behind league leading Liberty.
» As a team, KSU recorded eight home runs against UNA. Four of which were back-to-back in games one and two.
IN THE CIRCLE
» Lindsey Kyte (2-3) pitched her first complete game of the season, allowing only two runs on two hits while striking out three in game two against UNA.
»
Melanie Bennett (10-8) recorded two wins, tossing two complete games, recording a four-hit shutout to secure the sweep over the Lions.
» The right-hander collected a season-high 11 strikeouts against UNA.
» Bennett is ranked 19
th nationally with 10 victories, 28
th with 96 strikeouts and 30
th with three shutouts.
IN THE BATTERS BOX
» Player of the Week
Taylor Cates recorded three home runs against UNA. Her two-run homer sealed the deal in a 2-0 decision over the Lions on Sunday. The junior leads the league in home runs with 10 and ranks third with 21 RBIs.
» Cates is 21
st nationally with 10 home runs and 35
th with a 0.37 home runs per game average.
» Senior
Brea Dickey sits fourth in the conference with a .361 average. Dickey leads the Owls with 17 runs and 30 hits and eight doubles.
»
Christen Florence recorded her first career home run in game one against UNA.
»
Lexi Solorzano logged a pair of home runs against the Lions. She has the second most home runs (4) and RBIs (13) for the Owls behind Cates.
» The Owls recorded a season-high four home runs against UNA in game two.
LIBERTY SCOUTING REPORT
»The Flames are 21-10 overall and 3-0 in conference play.
» LU upset No. 13 Arkansas 2-0 in 10 innings on Tuesday, March 16.
» Kara Canetto leads the Flames offensively hitting .400, scoring 23 runs on 38 hits, collecting 17 RBIs, six doubles and a home run.
» Karlie Keeny leads the LU pitching staff with a 2.44 era, 6-3 record, giving up 21 runs on 40 hits, while striking out 65.
SERIES VERSUS LIVERTY
»The three-game series between KSU and LU marks the 11
th meeting between the two programs.
» The Flames lead the series 6-4.
» LU defeated KSU 11-3 in 2019, The Owls were still able to clinch the series win.
ASUN PRESEASON POLL
»The Owls were voted second overall in the ASUN preseason poll by the conference's coaches, receiving 67 total points.
| 2021 ASUN Spring Softball Preseason Coaches Poll |
| Pl. |
Team |
1st Place Votes |
Points |
2020 Record |
| 1. |
Liberty |
5 |
73 |
10-13 |
| 2. |
Kennesaw State |
1 |
67 |
21-4 |
| 3. |
FGCU |
2 |
62 |
19-8 |
| 4. |
Lipscomb |
1 |
53 |
12-10 |
| 5. |
North Alabama |
|
50 |
16-7 |
| 6. |
North Florida |
|
41 |
12-6 |
| 7. |
Jacksonville |
|
28 |
15-11 |
| 8. |
Stetson |
|
17 |
12-15 |
| 9. |
Bellarmine |
|
14 |
5-4 |
NEXT UP
After 12 games on the road the Owls finally return home to Bailey Park hosting No. 20 Georgia for their postponed game on Wednesday, April 7 at 5 p.m.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State softball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSB or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
